The event used a cascading points system\u2014wins on Day 1 earned one point, Day 2 earned two, and Day 3 earned three\u2014allowing Kasparov to secure his victory with two games remaining. Anand then won both of those last games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In an interview with St Louis Chess Club\u2019s YouTube channel after the win, Kasparov mentioned that Anand experienced some \u201cpsychological discomfort\u201d over the three days, as he said:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe had some psychological discomfort. It didn\u2019t go well for him from day one and I think it\u2019s just that his score against me historically is bad and somehow, probably just the ghosts of the past visited him during the game.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the second day of Clutch Chess: The Legends, Viswanathan Anand, India's five-time world champion, had a clear advantage in the fifth game against Garry Kasparov. This game was played in rapid format. However, Anand appeared to lose track of his clock and ultimately lost on time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anand had more than a minute remaining on his clock in a winning position but lost on time to Kasparov, making day two of the 2025 Clutch Chess Legends the worst start for the Indian legend. Kasparov continued to dominate and secured another victory after Anand blundered a piece on move 17.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was a very difficult fight and I think that I was extremely lucky in many games. There were few moments where the tables could have turned. I actually played a few good games. It\u2019s probably those I have not won. I would have preferred to lose game one (of day 2) or just to force a draw which I could do easily. I would rather win game two on day 2. So it\u2019s probably a fair balance. Of course I just totally relaxed today after game two (winning the event),\u201d Kasparov told grandmaster Maurice Ashley during the interview.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kasparov defeated the five-time world champion exactly 30 years after winning against Anand in the 1995 World Chess Championship at New York\u2019s World Trade Centre.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was a very difficult fight and I think that I was extremely lucky in many games. There were few moments where the tables could have turned. I actually played a few good games. It\u2019s probably those I have not won. I would have preferred to lose game one (of day 2) or just to force a draw which I could do easily. I would rather win game two on day 2. So it\u2019s probably a fair balance. Of course I just totally relaxed today after game two (winning the event),\u201d Kasparov told grandmaster Maurice Ashley during the interview.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think I was more resilient than he expected. In time trouble, to my great surprise, I did better. But again luck is luck. I tried to make sure that luck would be with me,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n